Three types of beetles now cited in tree attack

--photos Steve Van Vleet

Western pine beetles are shown infesting a ponderosa pine in Colfax. These beetles are small, but cause the most damage to trees.

These holes at the top of this thin pine are indicative of ips beetles.

What was initially reported three weeks ago to be mountain pine beetles infesting ponderosa pine trees in Colfax and possibly throughout the county has turned out actually to be from three types of beetles upon further inspection.

“It's not mountain pine beetles, it's western pine beetles,” said Steve Van Vleet, WSU extension agent. “They cause just as much damage as a m...